Evolution in Europe; Action on Romania Protest

AP

Published: June 19, 1990

BUCHAREST, Romania, June 18—
A parliamentary chamber today gave the police and soldiers the authority to clear anti-Government protesters from a square where they have reassembled since violence last week.

Prime Minister Petre Roman said Government forces had ''the responsibility and obligation'' to crack down on dissent.

In another sign of the Government's determination to end protests, a student leader was arrested. Student dissidents were targeted last week by miners called in by President-elect Ion Iliescu to crush the worst street unrest since the December ouster and execution of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

The Interior Ministry confirmed the arrest of the president of the Students' League, Marian Munteanu. [The Romanian television reported the arrest of two opposition leaders, Dumitru Dinca and Nica Leon, as well, Reuters said.] Students said Mr. Munteanu was taken from a hospital, where he was recovering from a fractured skull suffered when miners beat him. But the Interior Ministry said its chief, Doru Viorel Ursu, had resumed talks with student groups.

The House of Deputies, dominated by the ruling National Salvation Front, overwhelmingly voted to have ''the forces of law and order'' end the demonstration at University Square. Passage is virtually certain in the Senate, where the Front also holds a majority.